But the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and the Republican People's Party (CHP) have taken an adversarial stance toward the program.

Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, who requested appointments with all parties represented in Parliament to explain the projected reforms to the party leaders, was refused by the CHP and the MHP. DTP leader Ahmet Türk, DSP leader Zeki Sezer, BBP leader Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu and ÖDP leader Ufuk Uras, stressing the importance of the draft program, have all announced that they will make contributions to the draft following their meetings with Babacan.

Emphasizing that Turkey has already lagged behind in carrying out the reforms outlined in the National Program, former CHP deputy İnal Batu says the country has been wasting time with political crises. Arguing that the CHP and the MHP have made a grave mistake in failing to schedule an appointment with Foreign Minister Babacan, Batu, also a retired ambassador, says: “Turkey must take swift action to introduce the projected reforms. The opposition should make the necessary contributions to this process. But, regrettably, we do not see any positive action. You may not like Babacan, but failing to schedule an appointment is a grave mistake. Criticizing and not being interested in the reform package are totally different things. I find this attitude very inappropriate. They should have scheduled an appointment and held a meeting. You criticize the government for not introducing any reforms and then refuse their request for an appointment. In such a case, you lose your right to complain; the opposition is running out of excuses for blaming the government on the grounds that it is failing to proceed with reforms.”

The spokesperson for the parliamentary Commission on Foreign Affairs, Suat Kınıklıoğlu, says it is time to make a decision on the issues in the program, which closely concern Turkey’s future, and stresses the importance of achieving social consensus on this matter. Noting that the CHP and the MHP stand in stark contrast with their own platforms, Çankırı deputy Kınıklıoğlu says Turkey will introduce bold reforms: “Turkey needs to introduce 85-90 percent of these reforms for its own good. We have difficulty understanding these two opposition parties, which approach this matter with such a negative attitude, because both assert in their party programs that they support the country’s EU bid. In practice, however, they have refused the request by the foreign minister and chief EU negotiator for an appointment in which he can inform the parties and seek consensus for the adoption of the necessary laws in Parliament in the coming legislative term. They have contradicted their party programs and their discourse, alleging that they are not adequately informed about these developments.”

Dr. Cengiz Aktar, from Galatasaray University, notes that the CHP and the MHP are hampering social consensus, adding that this attitude is an obstacle to Turkey’s EU bid. Arguing that Turkey will complete the necessary reforms through the program, Aktar underlines that if the program is carried out Turkey will have finished all the reforms it needs to introduce by 2013. Aktar claims that if this were to happen Turkey could become a full EU member in 2014.

Recalling that the opposition adopted a positive stance towards the draft national programs in 2001 and 2003, Aktar attributes the visible change in the opposition’s views to their eagerness to rely on nationalist sentiments, because they do not have any alternatives to the AK Party’s plans and projects.

Babacan says he is not offended

Foreign Minister Babacan says he is not offended by the negative response from the CHP and the MHP, adding: “Our job is to explain the preparations we consider useful for Turkey. We would like to hear their contributions and implement the National Program with a grand consensus. But refusing to hold a meeting on this matter is not consistent with the understanding of modern democracy.”

In response to the request for an appointment, the MHP asked for the text of the program, adding that minister can meet with the MHP Deputy Chairman Osman Çakır instead of the party’s leader, Devlet Bahçeli. The CHP forwarded Babacan’s request to CHP Deputy Chairman Onur Öymen. However, Babacan did not meet with the deputy chairmen, saying that he would like to inform the party’s leaders as the leader of the team that prepared the draft National Program.

Babacan has already met with the leaders of the BBP, the DSP, the DTP and the ÖDP to discuss the National Program. Recalling that the program contains 131 legal amendments and 342 secondary arrangements, Babacan says: “We would like to achieve consensus over the reforms that Turkey will introduce in the following three to four years. It is up to the CHP and MHP whether or not to schedule an appointment. But I should note that dialogue and discussion is the fundamental tool in democracy. Besides, as a person who headed the team that prepared the program, I would like to explain the preparations. I held that it would be useful for them to at least hear this study, which closely concerns Turkey’s future and serves as the backbone of the reform process. But, of course, the decision is up to them. Hopefully this attitude is not a reflection of an opposition line rejecting any proposal from the government. We are ready to meet with them whenever they want; that could be tomorrow, or two weeks later, it does not matter. It is our job to explain this.”

Recalling that recent developments have proven the importance of the EU as an anchor for Turkey, Kınıklıoğlu calls on opposition deputies to assume responsibility in their parties to raise living standards in Turkey.

Kınıklıoğlu says the CHP’s negative stance is due to the content of the draft, while the MHP is objecting to its format: “There are some reforms we have to introduce if we are to complete this process and stand firm vis-à-vis our European counterparts in the membership talks. These reforms should be introduced to ensure Turkey’s membership in the EU and to raise living standards in Turkey. As an EU supporter, I cannot help getting upset by this attitude. Hopefully an opportunity will arise to talk about these matters with the opposition parties on different grounds in the coming days. We hope that the opposition deputies, who support the EU bid, raise their voices to stress the importance of this issue in their party organs.” Noting that the EU bid is a political issue that concerns all of Turkey, Kınıklıoğlu also says, “Their attitude in regard to such a delicate issue explains their dire situation as evidenced in recent public polls.”

Justifications of MHP and CHP

The MHP makes a connection between the appointment issue and President Abdullah Gül’s visit to Armenia. MHP Deputy Chairman Cihan Paçacı, who says remarks by Foreign Minister Babacan in response to Bahçeli’s statement criticizing Gül’s visit were not politically appropriate, says: “In his comment in regard to our leader’s statement warning against a visit to Yerevan, the foreign minister acted irresponsibly and inconsistently with the seriousness of being a statesman.”

Speaking to Sunday’s Zaman in regard to Babacan’s statement indicating that he would be ready for a meeting in the coming days, Paçacı says such an appointment will not be scheduled in the near future: “We have an understanding of political ethics. We act with reference to this understanding. We remain committed to this principle regardless of the requester; be it the foreign minister or somebody else. The minister receives the necessary information from the bureaucrats. If necessary, these bureaucrats can give the information to us or the minister himself may talk to Osman Çakır, our deputy chairman for EU affairs.”

The CHP did not make a statement. Reports note that Babacan was turned down because of Baykal’s busy schedule.

The CHP’s hesitant stance is also attributed to the fact that the National Program requires constitutional amendments. Alleging that a recent Constitutional Court decision confirmed that the AK Party is a focal point of anti-secular activities, the CHP strongly opposes constitutional amendments led by the government.

BBP leader Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu: Recalling that Foreign Minister and chief EU negotiator Ali Babacan informed him about the National Program, Yazıcıoğlu says he received substantial information in regard to the general framework of the program. Noting that they will present their views after running the necessary evaluations, Yazıcıoğlu also says, “Our general principle is that the National Program should incorporate an understanding that will preserve the inalienable integrity of Turkish people with the state, raise the living standards of our people and fully democratizing Turkey.”

DSP leader Zeki Sezer: After meeting with Babacan, Sezer said they would review the program thoroughly. Noting that Turkey needs to take swift action and bold steps in regards to its EU bid, Sezer recalled that DSP was in power when Turkey was given a status of candidature at the Helsinki summit in 1999. Sezer stressed that Turkey should stick to the process as a candidate country equal to other candidate countries, and further thanked Babacan and his delegation for such an extensive presentation.

ÖDP leader Ufuk Uras: Speaking about Babacan’s visit and the National Program, Uras underlined that they care about the internalization of the EU legislation and its subjection to critical review. Noting that they have priorities, including judicial reform, social policies and fundamental rights and freedoms, Uras stressed that they were expecting concrete steps on these matters.

Uras said they would present their views and recommendations to Babacan after an internal review. He also said: “Those who hold opinions on the improvement of democracy and freedoms express their views freely. We think that such fundamental issues cannot be part of negotiations. We hope that we move to a period where freedoms and democracy become more institutionalized. We will forward our criticisms and contributions to the minister.”

DTP leader Ahmet Türk: Noting that they have been paying careful attention to the EU bid and Turkey’s democratization, Türk thanked Babacan for the draft and the briefing. Speaking on the visit by Babacan to their party, Türk also said: “We are exerting great efforts to achieve a democratic and modern Turkey. I believe that we will contribute a great deal to the resolution of our problems if we put an emphasis on common sense and dialogue. The DTP is ready to do its part for a democratic Turkey.”

Todays Zaman